BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.02.2026 CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR and W.M.P(MD).No.3478 of 2026 Thangarajan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Executive Officer, Kaliakkavilai Town Panchayat, Kaliakkavilai Post, Kanyakumari District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Kaliakkavilai Police Station, Kaliakkavilai, Kanyakumari District.

3.The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board, No.13/1, 3rd Seaward Road, Valmiki Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai – 41.

(3rd respondent is suo motu impleaded by an order dated 17.02.2026 in W.P.(MD).

No.4160 of 2026) ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of CERTIORARIFIED MANDAMUS calling for the records of the impugned order of the 1st respondent in Na.Ka.No.506/2025/A2 dated 04.02.2026 and quash the same as illegal and thereby, direct the 1st respondent to grant license/permit to keep dogs/pets in the petitioner's premises by considering the petitioner's application dated 04.12.2025 that was submitted under Section 105 of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998 within the time frame that may be stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.E.J.Daniel Robinson For R1 : Mr.M.Senthil Ayyanar, Government Advocate For R2 : M/s.M.Aasha, Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

O R D E R

The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking to quash the order passed by the first respondent, whereby the request of the petitioner for grant of licence to run a dog breeding unit has been rejected.

2. A perusal of the order passed by the first respondent reveals that the petitioner has not obtained any licence from the competent authority to run a dog breeding unit. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent brought to the notice of this Court that a communication was received from the Regional Joint Director of Animal Husbandry Department on 17.12.2025, stating that the petitioner had not obtained any licence to run the dog breeding unit and that steps may be taken to close the unit pursuant to the order passed by the first respondent.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner submitted that the petitioner has submitted an application dated 17.01.2026 to the third respondent seeking licence to run the dog breeding unit and that the said application is pending consideration. When the application seeking licence is pending, the petitioner cannot be permitted to run the unit without obtaining the necessary licence.

4. In view of the above facts, the impugned order passed by the first respondent is sustained. However, the third respondent is directed to consider the petitioner’s application dated 17.01.2026 for issuance of licence to run a dog breeding unit, in accordance with the applicable Rules of 2016, and pass appropriate orders on merits. If the third respondent is satisfied that the petitioner complies with the requirements under the Rules, licence may be issued to the petitioner.

5. Upon issuance of licence by the third respondent, the first respondent is directed to recall the impugned order and thereafter pass fresh orders in accordance with the decision taken by the third respondent.

6. The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board, No.13/1, 3rd Seaward Road, Valmiki Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai – 600041, is suo motu impleaded as the third respondent in this Writ Petition. The third respondent is directed to pass orders within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of.

There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

17.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No pal To

1.The Executive Officer, Kaliakkavilai Town Panchayat, Kaliakkavilai Post, Kanyakumari District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Kaliakkavilai Police Station, Kaliakkavilai, Kanyakumari District.

3.The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board, No.13/1, 3rd Seaward Road, Valmiki Na